Evaluation conventions-target audience
- 2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
- 3. Front Cover- Conventions 1. The Brand Identity at the top of the magazine, mainly in the centre or at the left hand side of the magazine 2. Cove lines and Hybrids are usually on the left side of the magazine or sometimes on both sides of a magazine, especially in fashion magazines 3. Picture usually covers most of the front cover, and the image can be at a mid-shot or either a close- up 4. Headlines can be anywhere on the page, but they are just made different through the size and font of the text. But sometimes they are mostly at the bottom middle 5. Barcodes can be placed anywhere around the magazine, because it depends what the design is like, but the conventional placement is at the bottom of the magazine 6. Exclusives are also on the left hand side with the hybrids and cover lines, to attract the attentions of the readers
- 4. My Front Cover 1. Brand Identify- I have followed the conventional placement for the brand identity, because it is extremely important that your target audience are able to spot your magazine straight away. I used a pink colour, as I have taken the colour from my models dress to show similarity 2. Cover lines & Hybrids- I have followed the conventional placement of the hybrids and cover lines, and have put the most important ones on the left side of the magazine, because the eye-line of the reader is in a “Z”. Therefore, it is important that they see all the features that are appealing to them first. 3. Picture- Music magazines usually use medium shots, close ups or long shots, depending on what they are trying to promote/advertise on their front cover. I have two models, and want their personalities/style and a musical instrument to be shown. Therefore, the best shot would be a long shot, as my model’s personality on the right seems to have a presences, therefore I wanted to covey this by her leaning on the guitar to show this dominant side. Whilst the model style on the left is usually quite quirky so I wanted her to pose in a playful way. So, the only way I could show this is by using a conventional long shot 4. Headline: I have followed the conventional placement of the headline, as my headline is as the bottom of the page in the middle. This is because I didn’t want to cover the musicians too much, but I used a contrasting colour to the picture, to make my headline stand out. 5. Barcode: My barcode is at the bottom, so that it does not take any attention away from the features on the front cover, as well as being too distracting if it was at the top. Therefore I have followed the conventional placement of a barcode
- 5. Double Page Spread- Conventions 1. Article Title- is mainly placed somewhere along the “C” shape eye-line. Which this magazine has done, as the readers eye- line will flow to this article title. 2. Layout- the conventional layout for a double page spread is that they place an A4 picture on one side, of the article, side bar, etc…. On the other side. This is so that the DPS doesn't feel to busy, and it is eye catching 3. Drop Cap- They have used the conventional drop cap, where it placeless itself into the text format. It is also larger, in a different font and different colour to the article to make it stand out 4. Side bar- The side bar itself is usually a convection, and is placed normally in the article, on the side. It is also normally a different colour to the article page with a picture, so that it stands out 5. By-line- Just like the article title by-line's can be placed anywhere on the DPS, as long as it is in line with the “C” shaped eye-line. However, even though it can go anywhere on the page, the designers do mainly place it at the top, so it is the first part that is read. Also, they usually insert the reporters name.
- 6. My Double Page Spread 1. Article Title- I haven't kept to conventions with the placement of an article title, this is because I have added many different pictures on my DPS, so that if I placed it along the “C” shaped eye-line, it would cover most of the pictures. But because I placed it in the middle of the DPS, it does not really cover most of their clothing or faces 2. Layout- I have again not kept to the conventional placement, but I have seen a similar layout in the third magazine I analysed, so it is sometimes used. I did this because, I wanted to add many pictures to visually show my target audience what these two musicians lives are like. Rather than having most of the interview take a whole page. Plus my target audience like unique designs, so not keeping to conventions was necessary for parts of my DPS layout 3. Drop Cap- I have created a conventional drop cap in the sense that it is a different size and font, making it stand out. However, it may not be a conventional drop cap, due to the placement of it. As it is not fully embedded into the article with the text around it 4. Side bar- I included a side bar in my previous drafts. However due to this design and layout of my DPS, I found that adding a side bar will make my DPS too busy, plus there wouldn’t really be any space on the page due to the pictures. 5. By-line- Again I haven't kept to the conventions of the placement of my by-line, as it would look out of place if it wasn’t near to the article title, because the only other place is at the bottom or the top. This would make my page look to busy.
- 7. Table of Contents (TOC)- conventions 1. Article Title- They usually have this size slightly large, as long as it stands out on the page. They can be placed anywhere on the page, but the article titles are usually on one side together, whether that is at the bottom of the page or at the sides 2. Graphics- it is conventional for designers to add boxes round numbers, or to cut the model out of the picture, as it just makes the TOC more interesting. Or they add unique graphics, such a lighting in the background. 3. Layout- There is not really a conventional layout of a TOC, as it depends on what each magazine’s target audience is like, e.g. Q’s magazine is quite rock and pop based, therefore they have scattered the pictures around. However, what is conventional is that place the different sections together, as even though Q’s pictures are scattered they are still on one side, and the article titles, leading texts on the other, to give some structure 4. Editorial Pillars- this is essential for the Table of contents, as this is what the target audience will look at to find the different articles, etc…. They are usually placed above the article title’s in their category, so it is easy for the reader to find the article they want to read.
- 8. Table of Contents 1. Article Title- I haven’t kept to conventions with the article title, as I have instead placed the article title within the first line of my leading texts. This is because I know that my target audience would be more intrigued if there was a build up (summary) in the leading text/article title 2. Graphics- I have added graphics to make my TOC interesting, so I have kept to conventions. I have used a water mark, to give a little colour to the background. Also, I have used frames, with strings, to create the 3D illusion that they are hanging, as this would attract my target audience, as it is unique, as well as 3D 3. Layout- I have kept to conventions in the sense that I have kept most of my leading texts on one side. However, I started to make them go under the frames, for aesthetic purposes. Also, keeping the pictures and frames on one side of the TOC which is conventional 4. Editorial pillars- I have placed them in a conventional way, which is above the article title/leading text, so that the reader can easily identify what the article is about from its category/editorial pillar
- 9. Advert- Conventions 1. Layout: if the advert is selling a bottled product, the product is usually placed to the side of the model, so that they both do not over power one another, as the consumer needs to see what the product can do (model) and what it looks like (bottle). If the product is something on the model or the product present in the picture with a model, e.g. fusion. Then that piece of clothing is usually the centre of focus. This can be through lighting the product or merely having it standout 2. Adverb Title: Even though the product and sometimes a model (if present) must both standout, the advert title must too. This is why they usually put the advert title in front of the model to slightly cover them, and use a contrasting colour, usually something dark on a light background, as this allows the advert title to standout 3. Graphics/ backgrounds: there are two conventions Firstly designers can use background graphics to represent what they want their product to convey. For example, the advertisement above is trying to convey perfection and beauty, so they tools like glow and blur to create this heavenly background. Whilst they also use a pink rose, as roses are a symbol of beauty. However, some designer also choose the other conventional layout of an advert. This is where institutions usually use natural setting backgrounds rather than graphics (added effects), such as using a garden, forest or white studio backgrounds, etc…. This is because the in situations/designers do not want to detract attention away from the product
- 10. Advert 1 Layout: I have used a very conventional layout, as I merely have a model and placed the product and advert title together in front o the model. The reason I did this is because, I am trying to promote elegance, therefore I wanted everything to be very simply, therefore the less busy the page is, the more I can transmit the idea that beauty is simplicity, which is my connotation Adverb Title: I have kept to conventions and placed my advert title in front of both the model and the product, as I wanted the font to be quite thin not bold, therefore if it wasn’t placed where it was, it would not be noticeable. Especially because I have to use a white font to contrast to the pink shades Graphics/ Background: I do have a background so I have kept to the conventional style of an advert. The reason I have done this is because I wanted to create this effect of silk curtains in the background, because I’m trying to convey a luxurious life. So to create this silk effect, I merely used a the smudge tool to blend in dark and light shades.
- 11. Advert 2 1. Layout: I have kept to the conventions of an advert layout, through the pose my model is in. This is because she is placed in the centre of the page, and due to the positioning, the clothing is taking up most of the page, therefore, when my target audience see this advert they will be drawn to the clothing. 2. Advert title: I have challenged conventions with my advert title, as most designers for fashion, would place their name at the bottom of the page, in a large font. But I have placed the advert title at the top of the page. I did this because, the title is quite long, and if I had to place it in the conventional placement at the bottom, that would mean a smaller font. This is because I would have to put the “Fashion” underneath “Hepburn’s” so that the clothes are not being over lapped. Then make it smaller than it should conventionally be, because if its at the bottom it will cover most of the dress. 3. Graphics/ background: my background is very conventional, as I have used a natural setting. I only needed a medium shot of my model because if I took a long shot, I would then bed advertising shoes or tights, etc…. Therefore, I wanted the background to be quite light so the dark clothing could standout from the background.
- 12. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
- 13. Social grade As my target audience are mainly teenage girls, my magazine really targets many social groups. However, due to the price and what my magazine provides, the main social grade for my magazine would be: ABC1C2. this is because the my targeted social group depends on the income, class of my target audience's parents. A: higher middle class, who have high positions, are office workers or professional B: middle class, who live manageable lives, office workers and are professional C1: lower middle class, who are supervisors, office workers, junior managers or professional C2: skilled working class, who are manual workers
- 14. The reason my social grade is ABC1 is due to…. Price: £1.50, is very comfortable for those in the middle class region, because they are in secure positions in their jobs Adverts: the products my magazine advertises are at average prices of teenage perfumes and teenage clothing, so they are affordable. And because I am advertising these products, this explains what social groups I am targeting
- 15. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
- 16. Bauer Bauer is an media institution made from Bauer Media Group. This is the largest privately owned magazine publishing Group in the whole of Europe. Bauer Media Group offers 15 different countries, 300 magazine. Also, they offer these countries online services, TV channels, and radio stations. Bauer offers brands that are influential, meaning brands with millions of followers, that are engaged by what the magazine tells them. Bauer states that their strategy , is to connect the magazines target audiences, through creating engaging content their “multi-touch point brand platforms”, whenever they want. They claim that their unique brands, help them to be dominant within the media. Magazines they offer: Q Magazine
- 17. IPC IPC Media, is a institution that is known for it’s 60 iconic media brands. The reason they are iconic is because, IPC it has created content for multiple platforms through mobiles, tablets online, print and events It is the leading consumer magazine publisher within the UK, where they engage 26 million adults in the UK. That is around two thirds of women in the UK, and 42% of men in the UK. IPC Media’s award winning websites have reached over 25 million user at a global scale, every month IPC also states that they are fully committed to work in partnership with its advertisers, business partner, consumers and employees, to be able to create media products with phenomenal value, innovation, service and creativity. Magazine they offer: NME
- 18. Prometheus Prometheus is an institution that promotes music (Billboard), Film (Hollywood Reporter and Backstage), plus Advertising and Marketing (Adweek). Prometheus targets their audience, through marketing at “culture’s most power forces”: Media, Music and Entertainment. This they claim makes their institution a “catalyst” for influencing popular culture
- 19. I have chosen…. I have been looking at Billboard Magazine which is owned by Prometheus Global Media: Artists: my magazine is country pop, and Billboard does many different types of genres, whatever is the most popular in the week, as they are a weekly magazine Design: Billboard make every front cover unique and sometimes do not follow conventions. I think they would distribute my magazine because, our magazines are quite similar in the sense that we play around with colour, and don’t just use the same colours for every front cover Themes: they also like to make their magazine fun, through the use of set and clothing
- 20. Who would be the audience for your media product?
- 21. My Target Audience The main target audience that I picked are teenage girls. The reason I chose this particular group is because, I feel that marketing wise, there are a lot of new teenage as well as adult musicians that teenage girls tend to relate to e.g. Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran Due to my magazine being £1.50, as well as looking at what I have been advertising in my adverts. The social grade would probably be ABC1C2. This is because these social groups would be comfortable with this price, but also, my adverts promote perfume, which sell around £8-£12, as I am basing them around the price of “Britney Spears fantasy perfume”. As well as the clothing, in my second advert, which would be sold for £15- £20.